Mike Jaboc woke up feeling strange. It was the middle of the night. Normally he slept straight through the off-turn.

Something felt... wrong. There were too many people in his room... No, that wasn't it. It felt like there were too many people in his head, like he knew exactly where every unit in the entire side was.

As Governor of a City, he was used to knowing about popping and defences, but this was different. A whole new level of different.

Mike looked in a small side-glass on the wall to check his own stats. They were much the same as before, except "Heir Designate" was now replaced by "Ruler."

Titans Knees! He was the Ruler of the Moppets. Something had happened to Jimmeny Henderson. Something was wrong in Sesame Drive.

Reaching out with his new powers, he found the units in the Capital. They were all as normal. Who to send? There was a newly popped Courtier - so new he had so name. How to order a unit with no name?

"You! NoName! Get Up! Go to the Overlord's Quarters!"

Mike felt the confusion at the other end, but noticed with satisfaction that the order was obeyed. It took a few minutes for the Courtier to move, so Mike rose, dressed, and called out the Garrison of his own city.

A small "ding" in his head told Mike the order had been followed.

"NoName. Report."

The report was simple - the most that could be conveyed by basic ruler think-a-mancy. One unit. Croaked. Blood. Designation: Former Ruler.

At the beginning of turn 16, the Grand Duchy has received news of the events in Sesame Drive.

On behalf of the fae folk of the Grand Duchy, we express our outrage and horror at the assassination of Lord Henderson of the Moppits.

We confirm our commitment to Non-Aggression with the Moppets (and indeed all sides of Erflia), and pledge that we will do all in our power to ascertain who is responsible for this vile action.

We take this opportunity to point out that the only Grand Duchy unit in Sesame Drive is Julian Hofflepopper III, a Courtier. As a unit with zero combat, it does not need to be pointed out that he is incapable of such an attack.

We offer his services as impartial observer of these events.

Our sympathy to the Moppets, and our resolve to stand beside Overlord Mike in his new role.

. . . The Mogul stared down at the book in his hand, confused. Overlord Henderson, croaked? Anchor Luscia had not croaked.

[Book]This is the Mogul, offering condolences to the new Overlord, and expressing confusion.

I was under the impression that the only armed units at Sesame Drive were the Warlord representatives of Wonderland and Voyera. As we are both bound by Titanic Pact to the Moppits, it seems unlikely that we could be culpable. Anchor Luscia is available still for any private inquiries that the Moppits or others would like to make. Were there any powers present in Sesame Drive who were not bound by such a pact?

To Overlord Mike himself, I offer the service of a stack of valiant, if distasteful, soldiers for his personal security in this time of intrigue.

We must discover the truth. This was a particularly underhanded crime, and its perpetrator will not enjoy impunity![/Book]

Condolences for Overlord Jimmeny, May his shows entertain the titans themselves.

Our courier also has a small escort consisting of two archers and three infantry at Seasme Drive, so us as well as Wonderland and Voyera have units capable of combat in the hex at least.However whoever took on Jimmeny would have had to do it quick. As a ruler Jimmeny could have messaged nearby units to his aid quickly or at least raised an alarm.

I would propose that a warlord, caster, or veil-capable unit was the culprit.

[Book]Wonderland wishes to join our friends in expressing our regret at the demise of Jimmeny Henderson.

Lord Henderson's open honesty did much to facilitate peace and understanding between the sides of Erflia. He will be sorely missed.Wonderland commits itself to identifying those responsible for this heinous act. We are not strangers to war, but we know the difference between war and murder.

We would, however, remind our fellow sides that the great empires who lurk at our borders can read these pages as much as we can. All sides involved in the matter currently have representatives in Sesame Drive. Therefore, we would propose that we leave this matter to them. They have served us well so far, and will, we hope, come to a conclusion.

Overlord Mike looked at the new book he had in his position. He opened it carefully and examined what had already been written inside. He sighed and decided to make his first entry as the new Overlord.

[Book]

This is Overlord Mike. What happened to Jimmeny is unfortunate but luckily the man had a vision of the future, always keeping in mind that danger existed in this world even when he wished to only entertain the masses. I will continue to uphold his choice of neutrality and rallying all sides to unite as one, however I will be taking much greater precautions from this point on. Sesame Drive will remain the central area for all delegates to have discussions of political matters, as well as have less serious talks, led by NoName, whom is taking up the duties of running Sesame Drive. We ask that all sides that wish to take part in future discussions, please send a courtier to Sesame Drive and withdraw your warlords from the city. No combat capable units from any side will be permitted within Moppit territory come turn 20 and any side that does not agree with these terms can feel free to end any pacts we have, as come turn 20 any sides that persist in having Combat units within the neutral territory will have any treaties canceled and the turn after those units will be attacked and detained. This is to ensure the safety of remaining Moppit Leadership. Once I have determined that it is safe enough to allow single stacks of basic units within our territory the ban will be lifted.

We will be holding a Dirge for the next few days at Sesame Drive, which NoName will be running. Our Rolfie will be performing on various musical instruments. Any who wish to try their hand at creative expression is encouraged to do so.

Bless the GM Above, for Jimmeny now is in His presence putting on a show.

In this time of mourning and uncertainty, all Rulers must look to secure the safety of their sides. To that end, I hereby announce a Grand Alliance of the East between Savage and Downtown. Both sides are made stronger as a result of cooperation and together, Savage and Downtown will stand as a bulwark against the eastern Empires that seek to do us harm.

Let it be known to all of Erflia that Downtown is allying with Savage. Given the events of the recent turns all empires need to ensure that they have friends to assist them in their times of need. We will be the protectors of the east.

UnNamed looked at Unnamed. Something was happening. Enemies. Enemies in the hex. On the ground, but burrowing units present.

“We’d better go.”

Unnamed nodded. “Yes. Good luck, UnNamed Warlord.”

A grim nod back. “Same to you, Unnamed Courtier.”

Telegraphia had already fallen, sometime before the turn started. Dawn had come, and so had the flying lizards of Savage. Now Goanna City was under attack. The Grand New Eastern Alliance had moved quickly. Semaphor lay between the two Empires, and was an inconvenience.

UnNamed arrived on the wall, and stacked with the desert stabbers. Morgan, the Hatamancer raised an eyebrow as he joined them.

“Tough break, this.”

UnNamed tilted his head. “Sir?”

“To pop this morning, and croak before you’ve even seen a turn begin. To never hear the Ferrr-Durrrp of freedom. Tough break.”

Morgan laughed slightly. “No, Warlord. Not you, specifically. I mean us, generally. This is a put up job. The Titans handed us a size 5 hat and a 55 inch head.”

He rolled his eyes at UnNamed. “I mean we’re all going to croak. You, them, her…” he waved a hand towards the Mute Princess, who was stacked nearby with the Giant Goannas. “Even me. No Portal room means no escape for Casters, which is why I’m stacked up here. Never mind. At least I’ve lived a little. Well, I’ve never left this city. And I’ve never seen the Magic Kingdom. And I’ve never made…”

He broke off as the Mute Princess started waving her little flags.

“Show time!”

Morgan took off his bowler, and pulled out four pieces of parchment, rolled up and tied with blue ribbon. He pulled at the knot while UnNamed watched, fascinated.

Thorin Oakenshield looked over at the Duke O’York. They had marched up and down this desert together for as long as he could remember. Apart from one minor skirmish at a hunting site eight turns ago, they had done nothing but march and train and forage for extra morsels on the side of the desert roads. The Duke was fond of Wabbits, wascally though they were. Oakenshield preferred Wenison, but the one time they had found a deer, popped in the wrong hex by Titanic oversight, the Duke had taken the best parts.

They had quarrelled.

Now Duke O’York was Chief Warlord, and even though that argument had been four turns ago, Thorin doubted it had been forgotten.

He doubted it because here he was, stacked with the Knights and the stinking Hammer-Heads, tasked with burrowing under the walls and attacking the city via the dungeons. Unpleasant work. But the worst part was the defence. Oh, the Knights were alright. But the Hammer-Heads? The useless things were just bags of flesh. No armour, no dodging capacity.

Thorin was stacked with the group with the lowest average defence on the field.

And that meant two things.

One: Duke O’York had not forgotten their quarrel from a few turns ago, and Two: Arrow fodder.

The chime inside Thorin’s head dinged, and the first phase started – no Parley – straight to first fire.

UnNamed blinked away the blaze of light before his eyes. Titans torches! That been impressive.

A full stack of Knights and their Mounts had ceased to exist – blasted with magic, showered with arrows, and buried under the natural dirtamancy of the Goanna beasts.

He turned to Morgan. “What else can you do?”

Morgan shrugged. “Nothing. I’m done. Can’t cast if it isn’t your turn. Yes! I know that’s been retconned, but I am an old fashioned kind of mancer – I don’t hold with these modern ways of thinking…”

UnNamed looked back at the field, away from the eternal griping of pedants. The remaining Downtown units were advancing to engage in combat. The wall would protect them. A bit. Surely.

Combat: Round 1Veshtu inflict 127 hits on desert slingers, who return the favour with 103 hits.Duke O’York orders his Siege units to ignore the walls and concentrate on the defenders. This will be over before the walls can be damaged.43 hits inflicted on UnNamed’s stack.UnNamed and Mute Princess stacks reply with 42 hits.

UnNamed saw the stack with the enemy chief warlord angling towards the Mute Princess. Something inside him kicked, and he ordered his stack to engage, shielding the ruler from the attack.

“So that’s what loyalty feels like.” UnNamed mused as he dodged one blow, only to take another. He struck back. It was innate – the old battle cry: “Croak the ruler, end the side!”

Duke O’York grinned behind his helmet. Things were going well. Two of the five enemy stacks eliminated, and two more virtually wrecked. Thorin was croaked, and the Veshtu were taking serious damage – but mercenary blood is cheaper than your own, and that whole “you took my Wenison – I shall be avenged” nonsense had been very wearing. Oakenshield just did not know how to live and let live. Well, now he did not know how to live.

He had four stacks remaining, the enemy three. Time to end this little fracas. Time to earn some extra glory.

Veshtu 3 takes hits from UnNamed stack without fighting back. Well, I say takes hits. Out of 18 attacks left to the stack, none strike home.

The battle is over. Goanna City falls to Downtown.Downtown take 53% casualties.

UnNamed looked at the sword in his hand. Useless. He had done his best – he had swung with all his might and skill – but nothing had hit home. The Veshtu did not even try to strike back – they just laughed and jeered – did one of them flash him? Wardrobe malfunction seemed more likely.

He looked over at where his ruler lay croaked on the ground, a small white flag flapping defiantly in the breeze. Semaphor would wave no more.

The Confederacy will warn you that even non combat units can kill in this world. Flower power poisons would be affordable to any faction present at your capitol, and would not require combat to kill. Good luck catching your assassin.

Wonderland's recent scouting has turned up reports of a Fae Fattee, 10 hexes to the east of Fassen. It is located well outside of your declared territory, and arguably violates Wonderland's borders. We understand the need for your units to leave your territory at times, but we see no reason for your Fattee to be where it is. It was your own representative who promised that you would not venture beyond your stated borders. If you have a legitimate reason for its presence, we ask that you state it. Failing that, we ask that you withdraw your unit back to your territorial lines.

Mike Jaboc writes what may be his last entry in his book before he tries to tlak down his bloodthirtsy neghbor.

[book]It seems Voyera wishes to kill me, perhaps they were behind my father's death as well, though we shall see. I will go out to meet them and Parlay, in hopes that they will stop this foolish violence, but what I write now may be my last words. If The Moppits perish, it is the Voyeran forces that have done so, and for what reasons I cannot determine.

And I was so looking forward to throwing another party, it will just have to be a different kind.

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